Hale Centre Theatre
To Debut Regional Premier Of
“The Drowsy Chaperone”
Heartfelt, Comedic Homage to Classic 1920s Musicals to Feature Surprising Stage Antics and Decadent Costumes.
Hale Centre Theatre (HCT), Utah’s premier family theatre, will present the regional premier of the just-off-Broadway hit “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Oct. 6 through Nov. 27. A multiple Tony Award-winning show, HCT’s production features creative staging elements and glamorously detailed 1920s costumes.
A show written to be performed in proscenium, HCT has adapted the production to its unique theatre-in-the-round. The entire story is told from a small, realistic apartment, which contains multiple stage sets that are incorporated as the show progresses. With eight entrances through the floor, including traps and quick lifts, HCT’s set also features surprise entrances through pieces of furniture.
“Every musical number in the show is one-upping itself so we tried to match the set to that energy,” said Kacey Udy, HCT technical director and resident scenic designer. “As the story builds, the sets become more surprising and elaborate even though the story is taking place in the apartment.”
HCT’s costume designers have also created detailed, period-appropriate costumes. The designers started a friendly competition by dividing up characters instead of working on all the pieces. The result is imaginative, beautiful costumes that add to the nostalgia and Vaudeville Era atmosphere of the show.
“What people will be most surprised about is how they feel when they leave the theatre,” said director David Tinney. “It’s a classic comedy with a contemporary sensibility. It’s funny, but still very heartwarming. I can’t think of a better remedy for these times than to escape to the theatre to enjoy this kind of a show.”
Honoring classic American musicals of the Jazz Age, “The Drowsy Chaperone” stars a depressed die-hard musical theatre fan, Man in Chair, who plays a record from the original cast recording of a (fictional) Broadway musical to cheer himself up. As the needle hits the record, the audience, with Man in Chair, is transported to a 1928 Broadway theatre and into “The Drowsy Chaperone,” a play-within-a-play featuring gags and gimmicks from the golden age of musicals.
“The Drowsy Chaperone” debuted on Broadway in May 2006. It was written by improvisational performer/writer Bob Martin and Don McKellar, with music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison. What started as a spoof of old musicals written by friends for the wedding of writer Martin to his wife, Janet, swept the theatre world by storm and earned five Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Score.
HCT’s “The Drowsy Chaperone” is directed and choreographed by Tinney with musical direction by Anne Puzey. The show stars Greg Barnett as Man in Chair; Marcie Jacobsen as the Drowsy Chaperone; Kelly Coombs and Debra Weed as Janet Van de Graaff; and Ames Bell and Taylor Eliason as Robert Martin. Costumes were designed by the HCT design team headed by Suzanne Carling; technical direction and scenic design by Udy; lighting designer is Spencer Brown; and assistant technical direction and sound design by Dan Morgan
Performances are Monday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with matinées each Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. and occasional weekdays at 4 p.m. Ticket prices for Monday through Thursday evenings and matinees are $22 per adult and $15 per child (5-11 years); for Friday and Saturday evening shows tickets are $26 per adult and $16 per child (5-11 years). Tickets may be purchased online at www.halecentretheatre.org, via telephone at (801) 984-9000 or at the Hale Centre Theatre box office at 3333 South Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City, Utah.
Brought to you by:
Casio Pathfinder Hunting Watch
Calculate the best times to hunt based on lunar movement, latitude and longitude. There’s even a vibration alert alarm.
Photograph provided for use by HCT. Copyright © Hale Centre Theater
No comments:
Post a Comment